Device for supporting and delivering containers in a controlled form

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for supporting and delivering containers in a controlled form. The containers are stacked in the device alternately in adjacent overlapping columns. A ratchet and gear wheel arrangement control a platform under each column to facilitate withdrawal through an opening in said device of one container at a time.

I Unlted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,786,958 de Morgan Jan. 22, 1974 [54]DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND 2,611,673 9/1952 Riise 221/116 DELIVERINGCONTAINERS IN A 3,454,192 7/1969 Johnson 221/67 CONTROLLED FORM [76]Inventor: Tita Zuccaro de Morgan, Guemes FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1053 San Salvador de Jujuy 663,045 8/1935 Germany 221/116 ArgentinaFiledi P 3, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves 21 A N 240 469Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska l 1 pp 0 Attorney, Agent, orFirm-S. Delvalle Goldsm1th et al.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 10, 1971 Argentina 235461[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 221/67, 2l4/8.5 A, 221/295,

3 /45 The present invention relates to a device for support- [51 1 Int.Cl. 365g 59/06, 47f l/08 ing and delivering containers in a controlledform. The Field of Search 1 7, containers are stacked in the devicealternately in ad- 221/191, 275, 22, 289, 295; 312/45, 72, 42; jacentoverlapping columns. A ratchet and gear wheel 211/490; 214/85 A, 8.5 B,8.5 K arrangement control a platform under each column to facilitatewithdrawal through an opening in said device [56] References Cited ofone container at a time.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,300,086 1/1967 Wood 221/67 2 Claims, 4 DrawingFigures T g I I l Elf I 1 =1 i s lLnfll A IB i PATENTED JAN 2 21974.

SHEEIiUFZ' This invention concerns itself with a device for supportingand delivering receptacles and its main object is to provide anextremely simple mechanism that permits the orderly delivery of thereceptacles contained in the device.

On several occasions it is necessary to keep the receptacles in a devicethat while keeping the receptacles outside the direct reach of thepublic, makes possible the orderly and controlled extraction of saidreceptacles for statistic or publicity purposes.

Known already are a few devices that serve the above purposes and someof them are being used with marked success and are based on the use ofslanted tracks that extend from a charge to a delivery opening, theproducts of cylindrical shape sliding on said tracks when a unit isremoved from the delivery opening.

The operation of the device that constitutes the main object of thisinvention is based on the action of gravity but it permits the storageof the receptacles in vertical stacks and can be used regardless of theshape of the lateral surface of the receptacles.

Besides, it is possible to control the withdrawal of the receptaclesthat can be eliminated by the mere action of a controlling lever, whichbroadens the scope of use of the invention that can be connected withoutmuch complication to a coin-actuated mechanism that in combination withsaid lever permits the withdrawal of the receptacles just by previouslydepositing a certain sum.

In order to make the object of the invention understood and to makepossible easily to carry it out, a preferred embodiment has beenillustrated on the enclosed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one of the embodiments of the deviceobject of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of what has been illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line AA of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is also a sectional view but along line B-B of FIG. 1.

In all the figures the same reference numerals indicate the same orcorresponding parts of the arrangement invented that is constituted by acover 1 that can be cut in any shape, there being preferably provided inthe interior thereof elements 2 and 3 that act as guide means for theshifting and rectilinear movement of receptacle groups 4 and 5, thereceptacles being stacked ones upon the others forming two columnshaving parallel axes.

The upper portion of cover 1 is closed by a lid 6 through which thereceptacles can be charged inside said cover forming the two columns ofreceptacles that we have mentioned.

The lower portion of the cover 1 continues as a base that closes thecover and at the same time provides a pair of guides 7 and 8 for thedisplacement with alternative movement of respective stems 9 and 10provided with ratch teeth 11. At their upper end inside the cover 1 eachstem is provided with a small platform 12 and between the guides 7 and 8is situated an axle 13 that supports a gear wheel 14 that is permanentlyengaged with the ratch teeth 11 of the stems 9 and 10.

On the axle 13 is also mounted a small drum 15 around which is mounted atape or brake lining 16 actuated by a control lever 17 that articulatedat 18 projects outside the base 19.

On each platform 12, and preferably with the insertion of an elasticelement such as a foam rubber sheet, are supported the columns ofreceptacles 4 and 5 that can be of any height even though they have beenshown as constituted by one and two receptacles each.

Immediately adjacent the base 19 are situated respective apertures 20and 21 for the withdrawal of the receptacles, and the cover can also beprovided with legs or hooks as may be deemed fit for supporting it inhanging position.

If through one of the apertures for the withdrawal of receptacles thereceptacle that faces the aperture is withdrawn, provided the brakeribbon has been released by the action of the lever 17 from its positionbraking the drum 15, the stem corresponding to the column to which thewithdrawn receptacle does not belong will descend by the action of theweight of the columns, and by means of the gear wheel 14 the other stemwill ascend so that when another receptacle is situated in front of thecorresponding withdrawal aperture, the stem that ascends will hit itssmall platform against the receptacle occupying the next upper posi tioncausing the weight of the column to gravitate upon it so that thereceptacle that faces the withdrawal aperture is free for beingwithdrawn.

Taking the lever 17 to the braking position, the ensemble is ready tocomplete again a cycle like the one described above. If the lever 17 isin the braking position, only the receptacle facing the correspondingaperture can be withdrawn and the ensemble will remain in the originalposition until said lever 17 is taken to the brake release position.

As it can be assumed, the columns of receptacles can be multiplied,provided the number of stems is increased, and the stems have to bekinematically con nected in the manner described.

I claim:

1. A device for controlled support and delivery of receptacles,comprising a cover provided with a charge opening for the receptaclesand at least one pair of apertures for withdrawing the receptacles inthe lower portion of the cover, wherein there are guidedly supported onepair of stems provided with ratchet teeth in per-manent engagement witha gear wheel mounted on an axle perpendicular to the stems, the upperends of which are provided with respective platforms for supportingcorresponding columns formed by alternately stacking the receptacles,each column with its axis being perpendicular to the line of withdrawalof articles through the aperture, whereby a single controlled movementof the gear wheel by weight of the receptacles being operative to moveone said stem to position the receptacle supported thereon at awithdrawal aperture and simultaneously moving the other said stem to aposition for supporting the next receptacle in the stack.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said mounting axle of the gearwheel has mounted thereon a drum surrounded by a brake band, said bandbeing engaged by a control lever which lever is movable from a drumbraking position to a drum release position.

1. A device for controlled support and delivery of receptacles,comprising a cover provided with a charge opening for the receptaclesand at least one pair of apertures for withdrawing the receptacles inthe lower portion of the cover, wherein there are guidedly supported onepair of stems provided with ratchet teeth in per-manent engagement witha gear wheel mounted on an axle perpendicular to the stems, the upperends of which are provided with respective platforms for supportingcorresponding columns formed by alternately stacking the receptacles,each column with its axis being perpendicular to the line of withdrawalof articles through the aperture, whereby a single controlled movementof the gear wheel by weight of the receptacles being operative to moveone said stem to position the receptacle supported thereon at awithdrawal aperture and simultaneously moving the other said stem to aposition for supporting the next receptacle in the stack.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said mounting axle of the gear wheel hasmounted thereon a drum surrounded by a brake band, said band beingengaged by a control lever which lever is movable from a drum brakingposition to a drum release position.